**** CNS Media Release
Province Invests in Climate Adaptation Projects, Communities
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The Province is investing $37.3 million from the Green Fund in projects that support the goals of the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This includes $15 million over three years for the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, which will support communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A request for proposals to develop and administer the fund was issued today, January 17.
“Climate change impacts every Nova Scotian in every community across this province,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Tim Halman. “To achieve our targets, we need to support the type of transformative change required to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.”
Other projects include:
— $8 million for the SolarHomes incentive program for single-family homes to install solar photovoltaic systems
— $8 million to extend for one year the Home Energy Assessment program, which provides low-cost subsidized energy assessments for people using oil heating and incentives of up to $5,000 to energy efficiency retrofits
— $3.3 million over three years to support the implementation of climate change initiatives by the Department of Environment and Climate Change
— $2 million for affordable housing retrofits to upgrade one- and two-unit housing units in Cape Breton; the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing is also contributing $2 million for a total of $4 million
— $1 million for flood line mapping to provide communities with coastal and inland floodplain maps that incorporate climate change.
Quotes:
“Flood line mapping is imperative to the planning that is needed to build environmentally resilient communities. Pairing green technology and efficiency solutions with affordable housing is the bold action needed to ensure we provide safe and climate-friendly housing that is future minded. Providing a forum for residents and organizations to develop and implement innovative green solutions allows for community-led solutions that will make significant impacts in all corners of the province.”
– Amanda MacDougall, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities
“The climate crisis is impacting all Nova Scotians and it’s clear that we need to act urgently. Nova Scotians have embraced solar technology and we’ve provided rebates on nearly 5,000 systems. Continued investments in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction will allow us to focus our efforts in areas that will have the greatest impact on the environment and the economy, and respond to the needs of Nova Scotians.”
– Stephen MacDonald, President and CEO of EfficiencyOne, the non-profit operator of Efficiency Nova Scotia
Quick Facts:
— the objective of the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund is to help reach greenhouse gas emission targets in 2030 and 2050 and improve the province’s capacity to adapt to climate change
— the Green Fund is revenue collected under the Province’s cap and trade program
— companies in the program that do not reduce their greenhouse gas emissions must buy allowances at auction, with that money set aside to be reinvested in climate change initiatives
— auctions in 2021 raised $44.3 million
Additional Resources:
Request for proposals for the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund: https://procurement.novascotia.ca/tender-details.aspx?id=DOC859588634
Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf
